Members of the House of Representatives,
mainly from the South-East shun plenary in
what appears as a protest following the
rejection of the South East Development
Commission bill
– Political analysts and observers blame the
defeat of the bill to the absenteeism of
south-east lawmakers
– Meanwhile, member of the House of
Representatives, Goodluck Opiah,
describess the rejection of the bill as a
calculated attempt to marginalize people
from the south east
Lawmakers from the south-east region have
reportedly boycotted plenary session in the
House of Representative on Tuesday, June 6,
in what appeared as a protest move following
the rejection of a bill for an Act seeking to
establish the South East Development
Commission.
NAIJ.com recalls that members of the House
of Representatives, mainly from the South-
East, on Thursday, June 1, protested in the
House following the defeat of a bill seeking
to create a South-East Development
Commission.
Political analysts and observers had blamed
the defeat of the bill to the absenteeism of
south-east lawmakers who could only muster
the presence of 18 out of the 43 members
from the region on the day the bill was
rejected by majority voice vote, Daily
Independent reports.
The newspaper stated that the boycott by the
lawmakers was unclear as at press time due
speculations of an ongoing caucus meeting at
an undisclosed location.
Meanwhile, member of the House of
Representatives Goodluck Opiah has
expressed sadness and frustration at the
rejection of the bill proposing the
establishment of a South-East Development
Commission, during its first reading.
In a recent interview with Daily Post, Opiah,
representing Ohaji/Egbema/Oguta/Oru West
federal constituency of Imo state, disclosed
that the bill was rejected due to a gang up by
northern lawmakers who opposed to its
passage.
He stated that there was a calculated attempt
to marginalize people from the south east.